What currency is better to take to Indonesia? What currency is in use in Bali, and what money should tourists take. What you need to know about the national currency

Tourists are usually interested in what currency to take with them when traveling. For a traveler this is an important question. What is the most profitable currency for exchange in Bali?

The dollar and euro are in greatest demand on the island.

1.00 dollar (USD) = 12,328 rupees (IDR)

1.00 Euro (EUR) = 16,859 Rupees (IDR)

The Indonesian currency is the rupiah. Bali currency to ruble – approximate exchange rate:

1 RUB = 348.75 rupees (IDR)

What currency should you take with you to Bali?

It is most profitable to change dollars at local exchange offices. The euro is worth less, and some exchange offices do not even accept European currency. Apparently, the proximity of America has an effect.

It is recommended to take bills with a face value of 50-100 dollars. The year of manufacture must be no earlier than 2004. Otherwise, the currency may not be exchanged, or may be offered at a reduced rate. It is better to have the rest of the amount on the card.

How to pay in stores?

It is better to pay in stores in rupees, since sellers (like taxi drivers) can count money at a reduced rate. It is better to change currency at a normal exchange office, where a receipt is issued and the money can be counted. It is not recommended to make exchanges on the streets, where they usually offer an inflated exchange rate. Scammers often come across, and you can be left without a significant part of your money. Currency can be exchanged at the airport, but in hotels the exchange rate is low. You should also not be surprised that the exchange rate is constantly changing: in the morning it can be one, and in the evening it can be different.

How much money to take with you to Bali?

For one person for 10 days, an amount of 500-1000 dollars will be enough. Experienced travelers advise having $1,000 for unexpected expenses.

Which card is better to open for a trip?

The most important thing is that it is a Visa debit card. It is advised to carry savings on several cards. You should contact your bank before traveling, otherwise your card may be blocked when withdrawing money in Indonesia.

ATMs in Bali

You can withdraw a little more than $100 at a time from an ATM. Please note that a commission is charged for each transaction, and it varies. For the convenience of customers, ATMs have information about the commission percentage. Some ATMs do not dispense large amounts of money, so you will have to pay a fee for each transaction. It is recommended to first study the commission information on the device itself so as not to lose a large amount. It is advisable to contact a bank in Bali when withdrawing a large amount.

When you're going to Bali for the first time, you're always interested in other people's experiences. Therefore, tourists usually want to get maximum information about all possible monetary transactions on the island in advance. You are interested in the currency applicable on the island of Bali, the exchange rate to the ruble, and so on. You shouldn’t take Russian money on a trip - it’s better to exchange it for dollars or euros in advance. When exchanging currency on the island, you should use authorized exchange offices.

A vacation on a paradise island costs a lot, but no matter how much you pay for a trip, the question always remains of how much and what kind of money to take with you to Bali. The currency throughout the country is the same - the Indonesian rupiah. But it is impossible to calculate the amount of expenses on the spot - everyone has their own needs.

A little history

Over the last century, the currency in Bali has not changed much. Before the Japanese takeover (in 1944), Indonesia used guilders brought from the Netherlands. During the years of occupation they were replaced by rupees, but lasted just over a year. Already in 1945, Indonesia became an independent state and introduced its own rupiah into circulation. For some time, the previous banknotes continued to be used, but the Indonesian rupiah gradually replaced them. Some islands continued to use their own banknotes until 1971.

After twenty years of operation of the Indonesian currency, the need for denomination arose, and the state issued an updated rupiah, replacing the old bills at the rate of 1 to 1000. The last currency collapse occurred during the years of the financial crisis of Asian countries (1997-1998). In just a few months, the rate jumped from 2,000 to 16,800 rupees per US dollar. Subsequently, the value of the Indonesian currency has risen slightly, but it is likely that redenomination may be needed again in the coming years.

What kind of money is there in Bali, and where is the best place to change the brought currency?

As in all other territorial units of Indonesia, on the paradise island all transactions are carried out only in the national currency. In banks and exchange offices in Bali, exchange rates vary significantly. It is most profitable to change money at a bank. In second place in terms of profit are exchangers. The lowest rate is offered in hotels - it is designed for tourists who do not want to leave the hotel premises once again.

If you need rupees immediately upon arrival, then exchange the required minimum right at the airport. It is enough to stock up on payment for a taxi or other transport, and on the way to the hotel, ask to stop at the bank.

What currency in Bali is good for exchanging for local money? This question is difficult to answer, since the situation is constantly changing. Every few months, the rating is topped by American dollars, euros, and Japanese yens.

When you arrive in Bali, use our tips:

To avoid deception, contact only official representative offices that issue you a document confirming the transaction. A tempting exchange rate can deprive you of the entire amount prepared for conversion.
Despite the large denomination, you will receive a lot of bills, so count them carefully - a large wad of cash may be missing several bills. If possible, ask for the amount to be given in large denominations.
Currency received when exchanging in Bali must be checked for counterfeits! When you count bills at the cash register, look at each one more closely.
If you use the services of an exchange office, look for one that has a sign stating that there is no commission. In tourist centers they may withdraw a few percent of the exchange amount for the provision of services.
If you are not sure of the reliability of the exchange office, do not change a large amount. Convert the amount needed at the moment into rupees, and exchange the rest later.

What does the Indonesian currency look like?

After the Asian financial crisis, the exchangeable part of the rupiah, the sen, which was one hundredth of the Indonesian monetary unit, disappeared from use. Now only rupees issued in coins and notes are used. Metal money is becoming less and less common; in general, prices are rounded up so as to use the paper equivalent.

As of 2016, in Bali you can find coins in denominations of 25, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 Indonesian rupiah. The smallest ones are very rare. The front of the coins is stamped with the national coat of arms, the year of issue and the phrase “Bank of Indonesia”. The reverse, in addition to the denomination, is decorated with images of flowers common throughout the country (poppy - on 25 rupees, jasmine - on 500 rupees) and birds (starling - on 50 and 200 rupees, cockatoos - on 100 rupees). On the reverse side of the largest 1000 rupees coin is the anklung, a musical instrument made from bamboo tubes.

Banknotes are printed in denominations of IDR 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000. The banknotes are made using bright colors and a dozen degrees of security: overlapping and hidden images, microtext, rainbow printing, luminescent paint.

The obverse contains portraits of people who influenced the development of the country, and the reverse contains images of Indonesian landscapes, as well as elements from the life of local residents (tea picking, national dance, fishing).

Cashless payments in Bali

Currency made of metal and paper in the country is gradually being replaced by electronic systems. It is much more convenient to have several bank cards with you than to walk around with a pile of bills. Non-cash payments are also gaining momentum in Indonesia: terminals and ATMs are being installed. More and more establishments accept bank cards for payment, mainly Visa, Master Card and American Express systems. By the way, it is better to pay with a card than to withdraw money from an ATM - additional interest is charged for this.

In what ratio does the currency change in Bali?

The exchange rate to the ruble, dollar and euro in August 2016 in Indonesia looked like this:

1 USD = 13139 Indonesian Rupiah, or for 1000 IDR you will get 0.076 USD.
= 14881 Indonesian Rupiah, or for 1000 IDR you will get 0.067 EUR.
1 Russian ruble = 205 Indonesian rupees, or for 1000 IDR you will get 4.87 RUB.
1 = 522 Indonesian Rupiah, or for 1000 IDR you will get 1.91 UAH.

The rate may vary significantly depending on the chosen exchange location. Don’t forget about the possibility of removing the commission for a financial transaction.

Bali, as you know, is part of the Republic of Indonesia, and therefore the Indonesian rupiah is used on the island. Bali's money can be confusing at first - most of our compatriots have not seen so many zeros since the 90s. However, very soon measuring prices in thousands and millions of rupees becomes commonplace. If locals tell you that flip-flops cost 30 rupees, feel free to multiply that by a thousand (and divide by two, since in many places haggling is not prohibited).

Money Bali. Acquaintance

Bali money is represented by banknotes and coins. Banknote denominations:

100 thousand rupees
50 thousand rupees
20 thousand rupees
10 thousand rupees
5 thousand rupees
2 thousand rupees
1 thousand rupees

Bali money in the form of coins is pretty useless for most calculations, but we'll list them anyway:

1 thousand rupees
500 rupees
200 rupees
100 rupees

Also, sometimes you may come across coins with holes in the middle. Such Balinese money is of Chinese origin. In the past they were used for small purchases, but now they have only religious significance - they are used for a wide variety of ceremonies as offerings to spirits and gods.

Currently (March 2016), the Indonesian rupiah exchange rate is approximately 13 thousand per US dollar and about 15 thousand per euro. In order to navigate the prices, you can approximately take 10 thousand rupees for one dollar or 1 thousand rupees - 5.5 rubles. In order not to bother yourself with calculations, follow the rupee exchange rate daily on this website https://www.calc.ru/kurs-IDR-RUB.html

How to get the coveted rupees: ATMs and exchange offices

If you are going to Bali, you will need to decide how you will receive Indonesian Rupiah. As you can guess, there are two ways to get money in Bali. Bali money can be withdrawn from local ATMs or foreign currency can be exchanged. Each method has its own nuances, which we will tell you about.
If you plan to come to Bali with cash and change it on the spot, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, rubles are practically not exchanged here. Even if you find an exchange office where Russian currency is accepted, the rate will be such that you will begin to consider even Sberbank a stronghold of humanism and humanity. So bring dollars or euros with you. There is an exchange office, but the rate there is far from the most favorable, so we advise you to exchange only the amount necessary for transfer from the airport to the place where you have booked accommodation. Try not to buy Bali money from street money changers - their exchange rate may seem more favorable, but they will almost certainly try to shortchange you. If you decide to make such a deal, check your money at least twice. Keep in mind that in many exchange offices the rate depends on the denomination of the banknote. So, many places will give a little more Balinese money for one hundred dollar bill than for five ten dollar bills. Also, not everywhere you can exchange American dollars issued in 1996 and older.
If you decide to come to Bali with a bank card, you also need to know a couple of nuances regarding Bali money. Finding an ATM in most tourist areas of Bali is not difficult. Whatever the denomination of your bank card - ruble or foreign currency - ATMs dispense money in Indonesian rupees. Some of the machines are loaded with 100 thousand rupees notes, others with 50 thousand rupees notes. It is best to take with you a card linked to an account in a freely convertible currency (US dollars or euros). This will help minimize commissions when withdrawing money from your account. The average commission is about 3%. As in many other Asian countries, in Indonesia, including Bali, the MasterCard payment system is more widely used than Visa. Keep in mind that the amount that can be withdrawn from your card at one time is limited to Rs 3 million at best.

Important!!!Do not withdraw money from ATMs located on the street! Because you risk returning home and discovering that someone in Indonesia has withdrawn all your money from your card. You need to withdraw money in secure places: banks or supermarkets.

As you can see, there is nothing particularly complicated about using money in Bali. You may be confused at first by the clutter of zeros, but the adjustment period will take a very short time. Welcome to the land of rupee millionaires!

How much money to take to Indonesia

Prices in Indonesia are quite affordable and the amount of money needed for a holiday in this country depends only on the level of goods and services that the tourist will use.

The purchase of expensive imported goods, as well as an active excursion program (provided that there are almost no free places to visit), spa treatments and surfing lessons popular at beach resorts can raise the cost of a holiday in Indonesia by several orders of magnitude.

When answering the question about the specific cost of daily expenses during a holiday in Indonesia, you can take into account an amount of $50 per day per person, excluding the cost of accommodation.

What currency to take to Indonesia

When choosing the currency that is preferable to take to Indonesia, you should first of all focus on US dollars. Please note that $100 H series notes issued before 2006 are not accepted in Indonesia, and any notes issued before 1999, as well as dirty or worn out notes, may have problems.

Credit cards in Indonesia

In large hotels, shops and popular resorts in Indonesia, it is common to pay for services in cash, dollars, euros, currencies of Southeast Asian countries, tourist checks, as well as credit cards (Master Card, Visa). Village shops only accept cash.

When going to remote areas of the Indonesian islands, you should remember that many of the tribes living there do not use money - there, as in ancient times, natural exchange reigns.

ATMs are ubiquitous in Bali resorts and other popular tourist destinations. However, many of them have a limit on the maximum amount of currency issued, usually 1-1.5 million ind. Rs. The commission for withdrawing such an amount of cash can also reach a significant percentage.

Many experienced tourists advise that when going on vacation to Indonesia, in addition to the card, you should have a cash supply of at least $1000 per person. Another way to save on bank interest in Indonesia is to get a bank card (n/a Citibank), which has branches in the country.

Approximate prices in Indonesia

Loaf of bread - 16 thousand ind. rupees (43 rub.)
Milk 1 l - 14 thousand ind. rupees (38 rub.)
Bottled water 1.5 l - 8 thousand ind. rupees (21 rub.)
Rice 1 kg - 10 thousand ind. rupees (27 rub.)
Eggs 12 pcs - 17 thousand ind. rupees (46 rub.)
Fruits 1 kg - 10-17 thousand ind. rupees (27-46 rub.)
Cheese 1 kg - 110 thousand ind. rupees (RUB 297)
A cup of coffee in a cafe - 28 thousand ind. rupees (RUB 75)
A pack of cigarettes - 10 thousand ind. rupees (27 rub.)
Beer 0.5 l - 20 thousand ind. rupees (54 rub.)
Wine 0.7 l - 130-200 thousand ind. rupees (351-540 rub.)
Lunch in a restaurant with alcohol 400-500 thousand ind. rupees per person (RUB 1080-1350)
Entrance to the temple territory - 1 thousand ind. rupees (3 rubles)
Gasoline 1 l - 6.5 thousand ind. rupees (17 rub.)
Scooter rental - 50 thousand ind. rupees per day (RUB 135)
Car rental with driver - 500 thousand ind. rupees per day (RUB 1,350)
Massage - 80-400 thousand ind. rupees for 3 hours (RUB 216-1,080)
Towel and umbrella on the beach - 200 thousand ind. rupees (540 rub.)
Room in a 5* hotel - 1.5 million ind. rupees per day (RUB 4,050)

Currency exchange in Indonesia

Currency exchange in Indonesia can be done at bank exchange offices, which can be found at airports, major train stations and city main streets. Currency exchange is carried out in many large hotels in Indonesia. Another legal (and safe) way to change currency in Indonesia is to use a government-licensed street exchange office, as indicated by the green PVA Berizin (Pedagang Valuta Asing Berizin) logo on the sign or window of such establishment.

Banks in Indonesia

Banks in Indonesia are open from 08:00 to 16:00 from Monday to Thursday and from 08:00 to 13:00 on Fridays. Indonesian banks are closed on weekends. Bank branches located in hotels usually work much longer, and ATMs are open until late in the evening.

Major banks in Indonesia

Mandiri Bank is Indonesia's largest bank, with over 1,700 branches and over 11,000 ATMs throughout the Indonesian archipelago.
Bank Rakyat Indonesia is the oldest bank in Indonesia, which began its activities in the 19th century. Today, the bank has more than 4,000 branches throughout the country and is among the largest financial institutions in Indonesia.
Bank Negara Indonesia is a state-owned Indonesian bank, which also has branches in world capitals such as Tokyo, Singapore, New York and London.
Bank Pembangunan Daerah Bali is a bank owned by the Bali government and has more than 50 branches throughout the island.

Tipping in Indonesia

Leaving a tip in Indonesia is considered good manners among visitors. They usually make up 5-10% of the total cost of the service. Taxi fares are rounded up to 500 ind. rupees, and the cost of porter services can be estimated at 2-5 thousand ind. Rs. For services officially included in the cost of service (room cleaning, porter services), tips in Indonesian hotels are not accepted.

In restaurants in Bali, tips are often included in the final bill, which is indicated in the smallest letters on the receipt.

Locals often accept tips as payment for the provision of various small services - a short tour of a location, a “fee” for free parking. Usually it is a small amount of 2-3 thousand. Rs.

Currency converter (IDR) is an online calculator with which you can find out the current exchange rate of the Indonesian (Balinese) rupiah to the ruble, dollar or euro, as well as convert any amount from one currency to another.

The converter is available on all pages of this site. It is located in the lower right corner of each page. By default, the converter is always in compact form. To use it, you need to click on it.

Find out the exchange rate of the Indonesian rupiah to the ruble, US dollar or euro
Convert Indonesian Rupiah to Rubles, US Dollars or Euros
Find out the exchange rate of the ruble to the Indonesian rupiah, US dollar or euro
Convert rubles to Indonesian rupees, US dollars or euros
Find out the exchange rate of the US dollar to the Indonesian rupiah, ruble or euro
Convert US dollars to Indonesian rupees, rubles or euros
Find out Kurs from Euro to Indonesian Rupiah, Ruble or US Dollar
Convert Euro to Indonesian Rupiah, Ruble or US Dollar

How to find out the exchange rate of one currency to another

Let's say you want to know the exchange rate of the ruble to the Indonesian rupiah.

To do this you need:

The calculation is carried out automatically, and you will see the current ruble to Indonesian rupiah exchange rate for today. The same can be done with the dollar and euro.

How to transfer the required amount from one currency to another

To convert 1000 rubles to Indonesian rupees, you need:

In the first line of the converter, select the currency RUB
In the second line, select the currency I DR
In the first line, opposite the name of the currency, indicate the required amount (in our case it is 1000 rubles)

The calculation is also done automatically. As a result, you will see how much 1000 rubles is in Indonesian rupees. By analogy, you can convert the amount you are interested in into another currency.

Please note that this calculator calculates to the nearest hundredth. Since the Indonesian rupiah is much cheaper than rubles, dollars or euros, trying to calculate very small amounts (for example, one rupiah) will get you nowhere.

In addition, it should be noted that the converter understands the dot and comma characters. You can use them for more accurate calculations.